{"id":11899,"date":"2023-05-12T13:59:06","date_gmt":"2023-05-12T13:59:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/?p=11899"},"modified":"2023-05-19T18:36:17","modified_gmt":"2023-05-19T18:36:17","slug":"clinic-champion-deana-cappucci","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/personal-professional-development\/clinic-champion-deana-cappucci\/","title":{"rendered":"Clinic Champion: Deana Cappucci"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Deana Cappucci, LVT, VTS (Physical Rehabilitation), CCRVN, CCMT, is a performer at heart. Growing up on Long Island, New York, Cappucci picked up dancing at the age of 5 and never looked back.<\/p>\n

The performing arts became a critical part of her life as she focused on lyrical dance and joined a company that competed nationally\u2014including a performance at the famed Carnegie Hall in New York City. She continued to pursue her passion for dance in college, but a part-time gig working at a veterinary clinic to make extra money soon seized her full attention. Cappucci hung up her dance shoes to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"\"Every day, veterinary nurses\/technicians make a positive impact on their clients, patients, coworkers, and greater community. But the stories behind each and every one of these professionals are often overlooked due to the selfless nature of working in veterinary medicine. Today\u2019s Veterinary Nurse aims to shine a light on some of these stories with its Clinic Champions series. Each issue, TVN and Midmark will honor a veterinary nurse for their contributions in community service, scholarship, advocacy, or innovation. This series will highlight unsung heroes who make a lasting impact on their patients and community. At the end of the year, 1 of the 4 honorees will be recognized as the Clinic Champion of the Year. This individual will receive a trip to VMX 2024 in Orlando, Florida, including registration, hotel, and airfare, or an equivalent award. To nominate a veterinary nurse\/technician, visit bit.ly\/ClinicChampions<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cMaybe that\u2019s why I\u2019m so passionate. To connect with something so pure through lyrical dance and be able to move and alter your body to the feeling of the music is so freeing,\u201d said Cappucci. \u201cI found that passion working with animals too\u2014it\u2019s amazing that I was able to take one passion that I really enjoyed and find this love for working with animals and helping to improve their lives. It\u2019s a really beautiful thing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

After earning a bachelor\u2019s degree and passing the VTNE, Cappucci started her career in a specialty emergency hospital. But when her \u201csoul dog,\u201d a shepherd-Labrador retriever mix named Jake, was diagnosed with hip dysplasia, Cappucci became invested in learning more about his condition and therapeutic options.<\/span><\/p>\n

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FROM PET TO PATIENT Cappucci with her \u201csoul dog,\u201d Jake. Jake inspired Cappucci to become an advocate for the role of physical rehabilitation in veterinary medicine when he was diagnosed with hip dysplasia.<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cThat led me down this path of learning more about physical rehabilitation. When I went to school, they weren\u2019t teaching much about rehab. Rehab was considered implementing rest, range of motion, and walks,\u201d she said. \u201cJake inspired me to learn everything I could in the world of physical rehabilitation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

And that is a lot. Cappucci worked her way to become a certified canine rehabilitation veterinary nurse, a certified canine massage therapist, and a veterinary technician specialist in physical rehabilitation, along with studying traditional Chinese veterinary medicine. But Cappucci still brings her performer\u2019s spirit to the job, along with her knowledge and training.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDeana has an infectious positivity and willingness to go above and beyond for her patients. I remember her staying late just to show an owner how to perform home exercises for her dog,\u201d said Leilani Alvarez, DVM, DACVSMR, who worked with Cappucci at the The Schwarzman Animal Medical Center in New York City. \u201cShe will do anything to help her patients recover.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cappucci aims to give back to other veterinary nurses by sharing the benefits of physical rehabilitation and training others. She serves as the continuing education chair of the Academy of Physical Rehabilitation Veterinary Technicians (APRVT).<\/span><\/p>\n